For any lesser mortals like me preparing for their first event, last weekend I found Lilydale-Healesville-Panton Gap-Warburton-Donna Buang is not a bad match profilewise for Bright-Tawonga Gap-Falls Creek.

X-ray wrote:What is the road out to Tallowa Dam like? Never ridden it before and I'm thinking about heading to Kangaroo Valley this weekend for a final hit out before the big day.

The road is a coarse chip seal but mostly in good repair. On the way out it's about 20km of undulations rising a couple of hundred metres in the process. You then drop those metres plus a few more in just over 2km to the dam.

Coming back you obviously then have a steep 2km before the undulating downhill. Part of the difficulty of the road is that it's fairly exposed to the sun and with no drinkable water available at the dam you need to carry enough water to survive there and back. Despite the warning a couple of people ran out on the return on Saturday and while I consumed most of my 2L supply I was still suffering from the mid forty degree heat.

One other thing to note is that after recent road works from the Barrengarry Pie Shop to Kangaroo Valley there are some serious gravel drifts on the shoulder so take care if you're heading into town that way, the shared path to the left of the road may be the better option.

X-ray wrote:What is the road out to Tallowa Dam like? Never ridden it before and I'm thinking about heading to Kangaroo Valley this weekend for a final hit out before the big day.

The road is a coarse chip seal but mostly in good repair. On the way out it's about 20km of undulations rising a couple of hundred metres in the process. You then drop those metres plus a few more in just over 2km to the dam.

Coming back you obviously then have a steep 2km before the undulating downhill. Part of the difficulty of the road is that it's fairly exposed to the sun and with no drinkable water available at the dam you need to carry enough water to survive there and back. Despite the warning a couple of people ran out on the return on Saturday and while I consumed most of my 2L supply I was still suffering from the mid forty degree heat.

One other thing to note is that after recent road works from the Barrengarry Pie Shop to Kangaroo Valley there are some serious gravel drifts on the shoulder so take care if you're heading into town that way, the shared path to the left of the road may be the better option.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info

I didn't head down that way today. I opted to stay closer to home and ride the RNP. Last long ride before the classic next weekend. Time to taper now

Just arrived in Bright and found the cool change isn't here yet. The forecast for this coming week looks good - low to mid 30's as highs and then lows of 10 to 16. Any riding I do this week is going to be early in the morning! Cafe Velo for post ride coffees. Andrew

gabrielle260 wrote:Just arrived in Bright and found the cool change isn't here yet. The forecast for this coming week looks good - low to mid 30's as highs and then lows of 10 to 16. Any riding I do this week is going to be early in the morning! Cafe Velo for post ride coffees. Andrew

Hi X-ray. Probably not... I start riding around 6am so I can spend most of the day with the family. I'm planning to do the happy valley loop one day, Beechworth via Stanley another and then down to lake buffalo and back. I'll also climb Buffalo at some stage.

Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground. Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow. Andrew

gabrielle260 wrote:Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground. Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow. Andrew

Yep, rode it in September and I reckon it's a pretty good way to show people relatively new to road riding the attraction of getting away from Beach Road.

gabrielle260 wrote:Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground. Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow. Andrew

I've just arrived. It's late afternoon, mid 20s, sunny and I'm about to head off up Tawonga Gap for a quick spin after the delights of driving all day. If I get too hot, I'll jump in the pool when I get back.

Sorry X Ray, missed your question. Top temps are in the low 30's each day and the overnight lows are 10-14 ish. Riding early is great but from about 10 ish the sun has a bit of a kick to it. I chose to do a short 50 km recovery ride this morning and left at 7.30 but will leave before 6 tomorrow to do what I've always called the Happy Valley loop but am now told it's called the Gaps Loop....Andrew

Benalla has an overnight minimum of 9, Hotham and Falls have overnight minimums of 3. Those doing the 4 am starts may want to think about extra layers/thermals.

I lost my long gloves back in November and haven't bought a replacement as I didn't think I'd need them until Autumn. I'm doing the 620 am 200km event. Hopefully it warms up by the time I'm descending Tawonga Gap for the first time.

gabrielle260 wrote:Sorry X Ray, missed your question. Top temps are in the low 30's each day and the overnight lows are 10-14 ish. Riding early is great but from about 10 ish the sun has a bit of a kick to it. I chose to do a short 50 km recovery ride this morning and left at 7.30 but will leave before 6 tomorrow to do what I've always called the Happy Valley loop but am now told it's called the Gaps Loop....Andrew

I'm starting a 4am so looks like I'll need some warmer gear for the start of the ride. Temps in the low 30's during the day don't worry me too much. I like the warmer weather. I might dump the warm layers in the car on my way back through Bright because it sounds like I won't need them once the sun takes hold in the morning.

Just checked the forecast for Wangaratta.... The low for Sunday is to be 8. My guess, based on 4 days here, is that it will be chilly on the descents until about 9 in the morning. Even today with a top temp of 33, the sun had a bite to it as I finished around 11am

It's been raining practically constantly since 8 am up here. It has brightened up considerably in the last couple of hours and the weather radar shows it will clear tonight as predicted. Only the brave/foolhardy have got on their bikes today!

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.